President Woodrow Wilson attempted to keep the United States out of World War I, which started in 1914.  On January 22, 1917 Wilson made the “Peace without Victory” address to Congress reaffirming his objective to keep the nation out of war. On February 26, with the approval of Congress, Wilson declared a state of “Armed Neutrality,” which placed weapons and soldiers on standby in the case of an attack on the U.S. The NSCDA-NC sent a telegram to the President in support of this action. The Society received a note in response from the White House saying, “The President thanks you cordially for the good will which prompted your kind message, which has helped to reassure him and keep him in heart.”

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